Cheap Flights to Nairobi

Flight route prices based on searches on Cheapflights within the last 3 days, monthly prices based on aggregated historical data.

Cheapest prices for Nairobi flights by month

January

$1,558

February

$1,472

March

$1,551

April

$1,536

May

$1,584

June

$1,733

July

$1,617

August

$1,706

September

$1,637

October

$1,441

November

$1,437

December

$1,783

At the present moment the cheapest month to fly to Nairobi is currently November; with December being the most expensive. Prices will vary depending on multiple factors such as booking in advance, airline and departure airports and times.

When is the best time to fly to Nairobi?

Choose a month below to see average flight price and weather conditions.

MEL - NB0

Price

$1,437 - $2,147

NB0

Temperature

23 - 28 °C

NB0

Rainfall

15 - 151 mm

November is typically the best time to fly to Nairobi, but there are other times where great deals are available. February tends to be the warmest period in Nairobi so if you are looking for sun or warmer climates then look to fly around this time. November is the wettest if you need to factor this in to your plans.

Which day is cheapest to fly to Nairobi?

Sunday is currently, on average, the cheapest day to fly to Nairobi. Flying on Wednesday will result in higher flight prices.

What time of day is cheapest to fly?

Flights at midday are typically the cheapest time of the day to fly to Nairobi. Flights in the morning are usually the most expensive.

When to fly

At almost 1800 m, Nairobi has sunny, warm summers and cool winters with chilly evenings. December to March is the sunniest part of the year, and daytime temperatures are usually in the mid-20s. June, July, and August temperatures usually range about the low-20s. August and September, though, are marked with overcast, drizzly days.

The warm and dry climate during January and February make it a popular time to book flights to Nairobi, therefore this is the main tourist season. During the day you can expect temperatures on average to be in the mid-20s. June to September is another popular time, as this is when the area is at its driest and temperatures are slightly cooler but still around the low 20s.

The two wet seasons make up the off tourist period in Nairobi. These are March to May and October to December, with the most rain in April and May. Although you may encounter some rain during these times, temperatures are still high in the mid-20s. The city is much quieter and you are more likely to find cheap flights to Nairobi and discounted accommodation rates during these months.

If you’re travelling to Nairobi to visit the magnificent Nairobi National Park then you may want to book flights during the high season, which is July through March. This is when over 100,000 visitors come to catch a glimpse of the Kenyan wildlife in its natural habitat. It’s best to avoid the rainy months of March to May and October to December. In addition, when you plan your visit to the Park you may want to book a tour early or late in the day as these are the best viewing times. The animals tend to be asleep in the midday sun.

City overview

While for many Nairobi is a transit point on the way to a safari holiday, the city has many attractions in its own right. These include the Nairobi National Park, where lions, cheetahs, black rhinos, giraffes, zebra and wildebeest can be seen against the backdrop of the city skyline. Tourists may also want to visit the Giraffe Centre, a breeding and educational centre for the Rothschild Giraffe, and Dame Sheldrick’s Elephant and Rhino Orphanage. Further out, the Ol Donyo Sabuk National Park is centred around a mountain forest where you can see many primates and birds.

Nairobi National Museum contains many interesting exhibits, including discoveries by the Leakey family. The Karen Blixen Museum commemorates the author of the same name, whose books included ‘Out of Africa’.

Nairobi is a commercial city, and a visit to see life taking place in the business district is a must. The city’s buildings seem very Westernised, with skyscrapers and a range of corporate names emblazoned on restaurants and cafés. But the life that takes place in these surroundings is anything but. Spend some time shopping for souvenirs and you’ll soon encounter African culture.

Car hire is an option in Nairobi, but rush hours are extremely busy and other road users can drive riskily. The lack of road signs can make navigating difficult. Prices should be agreed beforehand with taxis. Matatus are public minibuses operating between the city centre and suburbs; they can be overcrowded, poorly driven and theft is a concern.

Visitors should always keep valuables out of sight, especially if travelling on matatus, and stay alert for thieves and scams. Large amounts of money should not be carried and walking around at night is not recommended – use taxis where possible. Slums and areas such as Eastleigh should be avoided.

Getting downtown

Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (NBO) is the main airport in Nairobi. It is located about 15 km from the central business district. Wilson Airport is a smaller airport serving mainly domestic destinations. Pre-paid vouchers for official taxis (yellow or with a yellow line) can be obtained at the taxi service desk. Many hotels also offer airport pick-up. Other shuttle services and taxis can be reserved in advance but check their reputation before booking.